CUET Academic Activities Partially Resume After 36-Day Stalemate

After remaining suspended for 36 days, academic activities have partially resumed at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET).

Classes in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning began at 9:00 am on Wednesday and continued until 11:00 am.

A visit to the campus revealed that classes were held only in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, while the other 11 departments remained inactive.

Abdullah Talbi, a fourth-year student of the department, said that classes were held with a limited number of students in attendance. Although a laboratory session was scheduled according to the routine, the students discussed the matter with the department and postponed it.

Fouzia Gulshana Rashid Lopa, head of the department, said that classes were held for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 academic batches. However, student attendance was relatively low.

Despite the resumption of classroom activities, the crisis surrounding the university’s vice-chancellor remains unresolved.

Students have announced that they will continue their protest demanding the reinstatement of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abu Sadaat Mohammad Sayem. They have made it clear that academic activities will continue alongside their protest.

Meanwhile, a six-member delegation formed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) has held meetings with teachers and students to resolve the ongoing crisis. The delegation was also scheduled to meet university officials and employees in the afternoon.

The protests began on September 21 following the appointment of a new vice-chancellor. The following day, students launched a complete shutdown. As the movement demanding cancellation of the appointment continued, the university’s administrative activities, classes and examinations came to a halt.